A native Memphian, with five siblings, born to a social worker and a Bronze Star army soldier, JB Smiley, Jr., knows the value of hard work and a healthy, supportive community.

After JB’s collegiate and semi-professional basketball career, he pursued a legal education, and later, a political career. But his life in serving the most vulnerable started from a young age.

JB’s first experience with teamwork and leadership was as a Cub Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. Never afraid of getting his hands dirty, JB has done everything from working as a landfill cleaner to washing dishes.

As his father taught him to “never forget the bridge that brought you over,” JB decided to stay in the region to attend college and then law school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.

While in law school, JB served as a member of the Law Review, Moot Court Board, and as Vice President of the Black Law Students Association. JB successfully passed Arkansas and the Tennessee Bar exams, while writing his first book, Born With It: Unleashing Your Greatness.

In 2017, in Memphis, JB started his law practice, Smiley & Associates, PLLC. The following year, JB was named to Memphis Flyer’s Top 20 Under 30 class. During that same year, JB was appointed policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk and served in such capacity until his election to the Memphis City Council in October 2019.

As a council member, JB currently serves as Chair of the Public Works, Solid Waste & General Services Committee, Vice Chair of the Public Services, Arts & Youth Initiatives Committee, and the council liaison for the Downtown Memphis Commission. Councilman Smiley served as Chairman of the Memphis City Council in 2024 and was one of nine delegates selected for the American Council of Young Political Leaders’ Malaysia and Philippines Exchange in December 2024. He was also named One of the People to Watch in Tennessee Politics in 2021 by Tennessee Lookout.

In his spare time, JB likes to play basketball, work out, binge watch Netflix shows, and keep his dogs, Jax and Mighty Mouse, and his nephew, Bryson Maxwell Smiley, smiling!